There are myths about motorcycle safety that a lot of people believe. For example, a lot of drivers think that motorcyclists are dangerous drivers, when they actually spend a lot of effort and even money trying to keep themselves safe.
Motorcyclists have to go through special training and carry different insurance coverage than other drivers. They typically need to engage in defensive driving practices to keep themselves safe. They even wear special gear to protect them from head injuries, road rash and other risks associated with crashes.
Despite all of these safety efforts, people often lump motorcycle drivers in together as aggressive or unsafe drivers. Are skilled motorcyclists really at far more risk than other drivers on the open road?
Motorcyclists face risks they don’t cause themselves
There are numerous factors that contribute to the statistical risks of riding a motorcycle. The fact that the vehicle offers little protection in the event of a collision is a noteworthy concern. There is also the fact that many drivers don’t notice motorcycles near them on the road.
Although drunk driving and driving mistakes contribute to motorcycle crashes, many times these issues are not the fault of the motorcyclist. No matter how safe and careful someone on a motorcycle is, they can’t fully protect themselves from the risk caused by other drivers.
Motorcyclists are much more likely to die in traffic
According to a data analysis by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, people on motorcycles are almost 27 times more likely to get into a fatal crash than those in enclosed passenger vehicles.
Based on the number of deaths compared with the number of miles driven with different vehicles, motorcycles are far more dangerous. In fact, motorcycles have become more dangerous over the years according to the data. In 1975, motorcycle crashes only accounted for 7% of all traffic fatalities. It was twice as high in 2019 when 14% of all traffic fatalities were motorcyclists.
Investing in good safety gear, making yourself highly visible and always being alert while on your motorcycle could help you avoid getting hurt. You also need to know your rights when another driver makes a big mistake at the wheel that results in a crash with your motorcycle.
